Physically fit volunteers who are either experienced scuba divers or beginners who are excited to learn. You’ll also want to help keep the sea clean and protect marine life.

Project details

Ready to put on your wetsuit and jump into Marine Conservation volunteering in Croatia? International Volunteer HQ’s Marine Conservation project allows volunteers to gain scuba diving experience and certifications while protecting underwater sea and river life on the sparkling Mediterranean coast. Volunteers will be placed with local dive schools that undertake a range of conservation activities to help keep the ocean environment clean and reduce marine pollution.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

When you envision the Croatian coast, you probably picture sparkling clear Mediterranean waters, vibrant beaches filled with swimmers, and an abundance of sea life. While this picturesque scene is often a reality, it takes the dedication and hard work of marine conservationists to keep these waters clean and reduce sea pollution.

As a Marine Conservation volunteer, you’ll dive into an exhilarating mission to restore and maintain the natural state of the marine ecosystem around the Dalmatian region and the wider Adriatic Sea. Partnering with a local diving school, you’ll earn an internationally recognized SSI (Scuba Schools International) diving certification. Once certified, you’ll use your scuba skills to make a tangible impact through sea and river clean-ups.

Imagine yourself:

Diving for a Cause: Plunge into the crystal-clear waters to collect trash, then weigh and sort it for recycling or return it to fishermen.
Raising Awareness:- Learn about pollution issues and spread consciousness about protecting our precious marine environment.
Exploring Marine Life: Gain in-depth knowledge of the marine ecosystem and discover ways to safeguard it.
Shoreline Hero: Participate in shoreline and beach clean-ups, ensuring these areas remain pristine for everyone to enjoy.
River Adventures: Walk along riverbanks to collect trash by foot, or take small boat trips to retrieve debris from the river and canyon using hooks and bags.
Collaborative Efforts: Combine sea and river trash in sorting areas, working together to maximize environmental impact.

Your efforts will help achieve the ultimate goal of pristine natural ecosystems, healthier seas, thriving wildlife, and a cleaner coastline.

It is important to note that to participate in any of the conservation activities, you’ll need to complete dive training or already be an experienced diver. If you are not dive certified and are joining for just one week, you will spend the entire week learning how to dive and won’t be able to participate in any of the volunteering activities. If you would like the chance to take part in the volunteering activities, we highly recommend that you volunteer for 2 or more weeks.

If you have any existing dive certifications, please note this in your application and send a copy along with your diving logbook to the local team in Croatia before your program start date.

All volunteers are also required to provide a medical certificate clearing them for diving.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water

The ocean regulates and drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Preserving threatened ecosystems, as well as tackling marine pollution and overfishing through conservation activities is key to saving our ocean.

Why do Marine Conservation volunteering in Omiš with IVHQ?

While volunteering on the Marine Conservation project in Croatia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Repairing and maintaining marine ecosystems
Protecting marine biodiversity and reducing pollution
Gaining scuba experience and certification
Developing your communication skills
Immersing yourself fully in the Croatian culture
Discovering the incredible natural beauty of Omiš

Volunteer requirements

It is mandatory that all volunteers provide a medical certificate which clears them for diving.

Volunteers with previous diving experience will need to supply proof of any certificates and their dive log book.

Volunteers need to be 16 years or older to participate on this project, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian, in which case the minimum age is 10.

Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.

Those aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead.

Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.